On April 22, 2020, in Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) #42457318, the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that importers will be able to apply for fresh fruit and vegetable import permits through eFile, a new online permitting system that will be available beginning this fall.  Until eFile is available, APHIS will continue issuing these permits through ePermits.

Beginning June 1, 2020, fresh fruit and vegetable permits issued from ePermits will be valid for one year only to allow for the phasing in of eFile as active permits will not be transferred from one system to the other.  Existing fresh fruit and vegetable permits will be able to be renewed in eFile, and all import permits issued from eFile will be valid for 3 years.

CSMS #42457318 can be found here:

https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-287d8e6?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2?utm_source=lnks.gd&utm_medium=lnks.gd&utm_term=undefined&utm_content=undefined&utm_campaign=(not%20set)&gclid=undefined&dclid=undefined&GAID=887834411.1568653816